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Saturday, September 6th, 2025
| Time | Event | ||||
| 2:03a | [Ichthyology • 2025] Hongiastoma zhangbuensis • A New Species of the Subfamily Acrossocheilinae (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from South China
Abstract Hongiastoma zhangbuensis sp. nov. is described from a tributary of the upper reach of the Pearl River basin based on the morphological and molecular data. It is distinguished from all known species within the subfamily Acrossocheilinae by having a combination of the following characteristics: a crescent horny sheath on the lower jaw, a less prominent lower lip limited to the corners of the mouth, a serrated posterior edge of the last simple dorsal-ray, 47–50 lateral-line scales, 9 scales above the lateral line, 16–18 circumpeduncular scales, and 16–18 pre-dorsal midline scales. The molecular phylogeny revealed that H. zhangbuensis sp. nov. was a sister taxon to Hongiastomata argentatum, with a genetic distance ranging from 10.49% to 10.68%. Together, they formed a lineage at the base of the Acrossocheilinae clade. Furthermore, the interspecific genetic distances between the new species and those of Onychostoma sensu lato ranged from 9.9 to 13.4%, indicating significant genetic divergence between this new species and all known species within Onychostoma sensu lato. Therefore, both morphological and molecular data support the recognition of this species as new. Keywords: morphology; molecular phylogenetics; COI; Cypriniformes
Hongiastoma zhangbuensis sp. nov. Diagnosis. Hongiastoma zhangbuensis can be distinguished from Hongiastoma argentatum by the following unique combination of characteristics: last simple dorsal-ray hard and serrated posteriorly (vs. slender and smooth), dorsal-fin origin positioned anterior to (vs. behind/opposite to) pelvic-fin insertion, and more (9 vs. 7) scales above the lateral-line. Lan-Ping Zheng and Wei-Tao Chen. 2025. Hongiastoma zhangbuensis, A New Species of the Subfamily Acrossocheilinae (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from South China. Animals. 15(17), 2563. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani15172563 [31 August 2025] Simple Summary: The family Cyprinidae has significant economic value. The genus Hongiastoma belongs to the subfamily Acrossocheilinae within the family Cyprinidae, which was recently established and is currently monotypic. A new species, Hongiastoma zhangbuensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the Pearl River basin in this study. This is the first record of the genus Hongiastoma in China.  | ||||
| 3:12a | [Botany • 2025] Gagea khassanovii (Liliaceae) • A New white-flowered Species of Gagea from the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan
Abstract The article describes the morphological and anatomical features of Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li, sp. nov., recently described from the Fergana Valley. The species belongs to the section Incrustatae and differs from the species G. circumplexa Vved. in the colour of the flower and the presence of hairs on the leaves of the roots. This species is considered endemic to the Fergana Valley and contributes to the region’s floristic uniqueness. Key words: Ageotropic sclerified roots, Fergana Valley, holotype, new species of Gagea, sect. Incrustata
Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li, sp. nov. Diagnosis. The species is similar to G. circumplexa Vved. in habit, but can be distinguished from the latter by the following characters: perianth is white (vs. golden yellow); inner tepals are linear, rounded at the apex (vs. lanceolate, pointed); cauline and basal leaves are much longer than the inflorescence (vs. equal to or slightly longer) (Table 1). Etymology. The species is named in honour of the researcher and expert on the flora of Central Asia, Professor F. O. Khassanov. Orzimat Turdimatovich Turginov, Igor Germanovich Levichev, Gulsauir Tanirbergen qizi Kurbaniyazova, Farhod Isomiddinovich Karimov, Lei Yang and Wen Jun Li. 2025. A New white-flowered Species of Gagea (Liliaceae) from the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. PhytoKeys. 260: 139-152. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.260.151373 | ||||
| 4:03p | [Ichthyology • 2025] Nothobranchius iridescens, N. marmoreus, ‘Lacustricola’ gemma, ... • Review of Cyprinodontiform Fishes in the Upper Congo Drainage with Descriptions of New Species of Seasonal Nothobranchius (Nothobranchiidae) and ‘Lacustricola’ Lampe
ABSTRACT The cyprinodontiform fish fauna of the Bangweulu–Mweru and Upper Lualaba freshwater ecoregions, situated in the uppermost Congo River drainage, has been reviewed. This study introduces four newly described species of seasonal Nothobranchius killifish and a novel species of lampeye belonging to the genus ‘Lacustricola’. Nothobranchius iridescens, new species, from the Kafila system in the Lufira drainage, is characterized in male colouration by anal fin with irregular red-brown spots and stripes, creating two irregular submedial and medial bands and with broad yellow subdistal band; and a caudal fin with a slender light blue subdistal band, densely marked with irregular red spots, and narrow dark brown distinct distal margin. Nothobranchius katemomandai, new species, from the Kay system in the upper Lualaba drainage, is characterized in male colouration by an anal fin with narrow brown submedial band, followed by a slender yellow band, a slender red-brown band and a slender dark brown distal band; and a caudal fin with brown spots proximally and medially, and with slender white to light blue subdistal band and a narrow dark grey distal band. Nothobranchius marmoreus, new species, from the Lufukwe system in the Lake Mweru basin, is characterized in male colouration by a body with irregular red-brown patches and stripes, forming a marble-like mottled pattern; and anal and caudal fins with slender yellow to amber subdistal band and broad dark brown distal band. Nothobranchius dubieensis, new species, from the Lubule system in the Luvua drainage, is characterized in male colouration by an anal fin with narrow dark brown submedial band, narrow yellow and orange medial bands, narrow white subdistal band, and slender dark brown distal band; and a caudal fin with irregular red-brown spots and stripes proximally and medially, followed by an irregular narrow red-brown subdistal band and slender white distal band, and with interrupted red-brown fin tips. ‘Lacustricola’ gemma, new species, from the Kay system in the upper Lualaba drainage, is characterized by a pattern of iridescent, diamond-shaped, light blue spots in scale centres below mid-longitudinal series on posteroventral portion of flank; median fins yellow to hyaline, with dark grey stripes perpendicular to fin rays; dorsal fin with light blue distinct margin; anal fin with dark grey margin. Analysis of mitochondrial COI gene sequences revealed that the five new species represent phylogenetically distinct lineages. These findings not only underscore their genetic uniqueness but also confirm their placement within the Nothobranchius brieni species group and the genus ‘Lacustricola’. Species of the genus Nothobranchius complete their seasonal life cycle in ephemeral natural habitats within freshwater wetlands, while ‘Lacustricola’ species migrate to breed in flooded areas of shallow, typically seasonal wetland habitats at the onset of the rainy season. These wetlands are highly vulnerable to a variety of human-induced stressors and threats, including agricultural cultivation, water extraction, urban expansion resulting in land-use pressure, and increased pollution, particularly from industrial activities such as mining. Therefore, it is essential to protect the integrity of these unique aquatic habitats throughout all the seasons of the year to maintain healthy wetland ecosystems and safeguard the distinctive seasonal freshwater biodiversity they support. Keywords: Bangweulu–Mweru freshwater ecoregion; Barcoding; Conservation; Killifish; Upper Lualaba freshwater ecoregion  Nothobranchius iridescens, New Species Etymology. The specific epithet iridescens is a Latin participial adjective deriving from the ancient Greek word iris (ἶρις), rainbow, referring to the colourful appearance of the males, containing different colours of the rainbow, such as yellow and red in the fins, reflective blue on the body slightly shifting hue depending on the angle of light. Nothobranchius katemomandai, New Species Etymology. The specific epithet is given in honour of friend Bauchet Katemo Manda, professor at the University of Lubumbashi, the discoverer of this species, for his dedication to the research of the ichthyofauna of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The exciting adventures and numerous challenges faced during joint research expeditions will always remain vivid memories. Nothobranchius marmoreus, New Species Etymology. The specific epithet marmoreus is a Latin adjective deriving from the ancient Greek word marmaros (μάρμαρος) in the meaning of resembling marble, marblelike, and in reference to the irregularly mottled marbled colour pattern on the body of the males.  Nothobranchius dubieensis, New Species Etymology. The specific name is given in reference to Dubie township in south-eastern DR Congo, near which place this species is found, and the type locality is situated. An adjective derived from the geographical name. ‘Lacustricola’ gemma, New Species Etymology. The specific epithet gemma is derived from the ancient Greek word γέμω, originally meaning “precious stone” or “gem”. It refers to the pattern of the body scales, which are adorned with numerous iridescent, diamond-shaped markings, evoking the appearance of tiny gems. The name also alludes to the relatively small adult size of the species. It is treated as a noun in the nominative singular, standing in apposition to the generic name. Béla Nagy. 2025. Review of Cyprinodontiform Fishes in the Upper Congo Drainage with Descriptions of Four New Species of Seasonal Nothobranchius (Nothobranchiidae) and a New Species of ‘Lacustricola’ Lampeye (Procatopodidae) in South-Eastern DR Congo. Ecol. Divers. 2(2), 10006. DOI: doi.org/10.70322/ecoldivers.2025.10006 https://x.com/BaukaManda/status/1940645555790925893  | ||||
| 5:13p | [Herpetology • 2025] Gerrhonotus occidentalis • Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal Hidden Diversity in Gerrhonotus (Anguidae: Gerrhonotinae) and Description of a New Species from Western Mexico
Abstract The genus Gerrhonotus has a wide geographic range, extending from Texas in the United States southward and eastward to Panamá. Despite this enormous distribution, only seven species are currently recognized within the genus. However, both morphological and molecular studies have provided evidence for the presence of an undescribed species in western Mexico that has historically been confused with G. liocephalus. This species remains undescribed. In addition, molecular studies have revealed significant genetic structuring within some of the most broadly distributed morphology-based species in the genus, including G. infernalis, G. liocephalus, and G. ophiurus. These findings suggest the potential for unrecognized species diversity. Here, we used double-digested restriction-site associated sequencing (ddRADseq) to construct a new phylogenomic data set for the genus Gerrhonotus. We performed maximum-likelihood analyses on concatenated matrices with varying minimum taxon coverage to assess the impact of different numbers of loci and proportions of missing data on matrix informativeness, and identified the optimal matrix. We then performed a maximum-likelihood analysis of this matrix. Based on the resulting tree, current taxonomy, and the geographic distribution of samples, we identified 10 potentially independent lineages (putative species) within the genus. Subsequently, we conducted species-tree analyses for these lineages and utilized the resulting topologies to estimate their genealogical divergence index (gdi), providing a preliminary assessment of their evolutionary distinctness. All of the analyses consistently corroborated the existence of an undescribed species from western Mexico. Moreover, gdi values indicated the potential presence of additional hidden species diversity within the genus. We describe the lineage from western Mexico as a distinct species, based on 18 adult specimens. The new species appears to be restricted to the western slopes of Mexico from southern Nayarit to central Guerrero, spanning elevations from sea level to about 1500 m. Its preferred habitats include tropical deciduous, tropical semideciduous, oak, and pine-oak forests. KEYWORDS: Alligator lizard, biodiversity, Gerrhonotus, phylogenomics, species delimitation, systematics, taxonomy 
Gerrhonotus occidentalis sp. nov. Adrián Nieto-Montes de Oca, John J. Wiens and Uri Omar García Vázquez. 2025. Phylogenomic Analyses Reveal Hidden Diversity in Gerrhonotus (Anguidae: Gerrhonotinae) and Description of a New Species from Western Mexico. Herpetologica. 81(3); 303-321. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00004 (5 August 2025)  |
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